Tornadoes leave path of destruction through central U.S.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency in 12 counties after severe storms and several tornadoes ripped across Oklahoma on Saturday. The storms left at least four people dead, including a 4-month-old baby and at least 100 people injured.

Extensive destruction in Sulphur, Oklahoma, a town of about 5,000 people and home of the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center, took place within what officials said was a 15-block storm radius. Buildings in the town were destroyed, cars were tossed on their sides and roofs were pulled straight off houses by the tornadoes.

"I've seen a lot of damage, I've been around the state,” Stitt said at a press conference Sunday in Sulphur. “This is my sixth year, but what I saw in downtown Sulphur is unbelievable."

Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby wrote in a statement that his tribal nation’s historic Artesian Hotel and art gallery had sustained some damage, but all staff and patrons in those locations were safe.

This post was produced and edited by Tim McPhillips, Adam Kemp, Yasmeen Alamiri and Julia Griffin.

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